1. Overview of Golfing in Hawaii
For many travelers, a vacation in Hawaii signifies sun-kissed beaches, relaxation, and exploration of volcanic landscapes, rainforests, and vibrant marine life. However, for avid golfers, it’s an opportunity to experience some of the world’s most breathtaking and challenging golf courses. Each Hawaiian island presents unique golfing experiences, featuring black lava rock on the Big Island, stunning volcano views in Maui, verdant landscapes in Kauai, and historic courses in Oahu.
2. Best Golf Courses in Hawaii
Hawaii’s lush fairways and beautifully designed greens offer unparalleled scenic backdrops. Below is a curated list of some of the top golf courses available, ranging from public links to luxurious resort courses. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual player, there’s something for everyone.
Maui Golf Courses
The Plantation Course
This course, known for hosting the annual PGA TOUR’s Sentry Tournament of Champions, features sweeping, hilly fairways and dramatic elevation changes. Additionally, the scenic ocean views from nearly every hole add to its allure. The Plantation Course, crafted by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, was renovated significantly in 2019, preserving its status as one of Hawaii’s best golf experiences.
The Bay Course
Designed by Arnold Palmer and Frances Duane, this course is regarded as more accessible than the Plantation course. Golfers can enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific and nearby Hawaiian islands as they navigate the course. Notably, its picturesque 17th hole is the only golf hole in Maui that plays over the ocean.
The Royal Kaanapali
Constructed in 1962 by Robert Trent Jones, this historic resort course features expansive contoured greens and meandering fairways. Boasting ocean views and picturesque panoramas of Lanai and Molokai, this course creates an unforgettable golfing experience.
King Kamehameha Golf Club
This exclusive course perched on the West Maui Mountains offers non-members a chance to play through its “Guest for a Day” program. The course features tiered greens, scenic water features, and a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed clubhouse, all complemented by views of the coastline and Mt. Haleakala.
Wailea Golf Club
Wailea Golf Club features three distinct courses, altogether comprising 54 holes with stunning ocean views. The Gold Course is renowned for its challenging layout, featuring rugged terrain and natural lava walls. At the Blue Course, golfers are treated to views of Wailea, Mt. Haleakala, and the ocean. The Emerald Course is favored for its aesthetically pleasing layout and vibrant flowers.
Lanai Golf Courses
Manele Golf Course at Four Seasons Resort Lanai
The only 18-hole championship course on Lanai, the Manele Golf Course is exclusive to guests of the Four Seasons Resort. Nicklaus Signature design merges beautifully with its lava outcroppings, creating spectacular views from every hole.
Kauai Golf Courses
Poipu Bay Golf Course
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., this challenging course enhances the golfing experience with stunning views along a dramatic cliffside, overlooking the ocean. Recognized for hosting the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994-2006, it preserves historical elements, including ancient stone walls and remnants of Hawaiian temples.
Kukui’ula Golf Course
Located at The Lodge at Kukui’ula, this oceanfront course is renowned for its stunning views and challenging layout, particularly the legendary 14th hole. Additionally, the site features a 15-acre practice facility with two greens, bunkers, and a driving range.
Ocean Course at Hōkūala
The award-winning Ocean Course serves as the only Jack Nicklaus Signature course on Kauai. Renowned for its picturesque coastline and unique design, it encompasses the longest stretch of shorefront holes in Hawaii, offering divine views of both the Pacific Ocean and Kauai’s majestic mountains.
Princeville Makai Golf Club
Set amidst lush landscaping and designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the Princeville Makai Golf Club overlooks the breathtaking Hanalei Bay. Recently renovated, its challenging yet picturesque layout is highlighted by unparalleled views of nature, making it an iconic destination for golfers.
Puakea Golf Course
Puakea Golf Course is an accessible public course that showcases Kauai’s natural beauty. Developed on a former sugar cane plantation, this course includes elevation changes, ravines, and stunning ocean views, complemented by lush vegetation.
Hawaii Golf Courses
Hualalai Golf Course
The Hualalai Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, is open exclusively to resort guests. As a venue for the annual PGA Tour Champions event, the course meanders through stunning black lava landscapes, offering breathtaking views and a finishing hole adjacent to the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean.
Mauna Kea Golf Course
Situated at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Kohala Coast, this storied course was the first built on the Big Island. Originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., it has undergone renovations by his son Robert Trent Jones Jr. and more recently Rees Jones. Memorable features include breathtaking ocean views and a signature par-three hole that plays over the Pacific Ocean.
Hapuna Golf Course
The Hapuna Golf Course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, extends links-style along the Kohala Coast. Featuring stunning views, significant elevation changes, and rugged terrain, it presents both challenge and beauty. The signature 12th hole offers an exceptional perspective, showcasing Maui in the distance.
Mauna Lani Golf Courses
The Mauna Lani Resort offers two 18-hole courses, along with a short nine-hole Wikiwiki fun course. The North Course is set atop a lava bed with rolling terrain and a par-three surrounded by a natural lava amphitheater. The South Course winds through dramatic black lava rock, offering gorgeous ocean and mountain views, including its challenging 15th hole that stretches over water.
Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf
Waikoloa Beach Resort features an impressive 27 holes of golf across three different nines, providing diverse golfing experiences. The Beach Nine offers shimmering ocean views, while the Kings’ Nine, with a Scottish links-style layout, features breathtaking views of Mauna Kea. Lastly, the Lakes Nine presents water hazards and dynamic elevation changes across its beautiful layout.
Makani Golf Club
Located on Mauna Kea’s slopes at an elevation of over 2,000 feet, the Makani Golf Club showcases stunning vistas of the Kona coastline and volcano. Designed by Perry Dye, the course features wide fairways and water hazards on nine of its holes.
Oahu Golf Courses
Turtle Bay Golf
Turtle Bay Resort features two challenging 18-hole courses: the Arnold Palmer Course and the George Fazio Course. The Arnold Palmer Course features a Scottish links layout complemented by a tropical jungle, while the Fazio Course boasts wide fairways and ocean vistas, creating a player-friendly and walkable experience.
Ko Olina Golf Club
Located in Oahu’s resort community with four hotels, the Ko Olina Golf Club, designed by Ted Robinson, features water features, wide fairways, and tiered greens throughout its scenic layout, including two signature holes with breathtaking waterfalls.
Hawaii Prince Golf Club
Situated on Ewa Beach’s open terrain, the Hawaii Prince Golf Club offers a versatile 27-hole layout designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. The course features three interchangeable nine-hole areas, allowing golfers to enjoy varied experiences amidst water hazards, bunkers, and sweeping fairways.
Royal Hawaiian Golf Club
This course, designed by Pete and Perry Dye in 1993, now features a recent redesign by Greg Norman. Set in the picturesque Maunawili Valley, it showcases scenic views between Mount Olomana and the Ko’olau Mountains, highlighted by a captivating pond on the signature second hole.
Olomana Golf Links
Located on the windward side of Oahu, this public course boasts stunning views of the Ko’olau Mountains and offers a unique golfing experience with different nines. It is known for being frequented by notable personalities, including former President Barack Obama and professional golfer Michelle Wie.
